Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team

What this program does...

St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and Hamilton Police have collaborated on a successful project called the Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team (MCRRT); a permanent partnership and the first-of-its kind in Canada. The MCRRT is made up of a uniformed police officer and a mental health worker as a rapid response option for calls involving people with a mental health issue or concern.

The MCRRT is an extension of an existing 17 year partnership with St. Joe’s and the Hamilton Police Service through COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team). The MCRRT offers a mental health professional in the cruiser with the uniformed police officer as a first response 9-1-1 option, as opposed to COAST being a second tier option.

How this program helps...

This program has been successful because it helps people in the right place, at the right time. Police Officers are there to keep those at the call safe and present different ways to approach and defuse the problem, allowing the mental health professional to use their skills and expertise appropriately.

The officers on the team are required to take training that includes Crisis Intervention Training, Safe Talk Training, and Assist Training. There are also officers who come from Niagara, Halton, and Brantford to participate. The training includes educating the officers to notice the cues on when to intervene, descalate and control the situations.